Reviewer Candace Lybarger: Candace is a young wife, mother, and lover of all books. She received her Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education from The Ohio State University. Candace taught 3rd grade until an opportunity presented itself where she could work from home and be with her toddler. In addition to spending time with her family, Candace enjoys reading, music, history, traveling, and spending time outdoors. Her perfect day in a nutshell would be sitting in the sun with a book...or two!
Author: Carla Neggers
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
ISBN: 0778314200
Carla
Neggers' novel, That Night on Thistle Lane, is a captivating romance
and mystery novel that left me fulfilled and happy. Neggers
wrote a wonderful novel that pulled at my heartstrings, had me
laughing, and at times left me scratching my head trying to figure
out the mystery. From the beginning of That Night on Thistle
Lane, it was apparent to me that Carla Neggers was a New York Times
Bestselling Author. She was able to create 3-dimensional
characters in which I fell in love with, she designed a modern day
mystery with a surprise twist, and she let readers eavesdrop on the
unfolding love story of Phoebe and Noah.
That Night on
Thistle Lane is an intriguing story about Phoebe, a small town
librarian and Noah, a wealthy young man trying to figure out what to
do next in life. Neggers' novel starts when Phoebe finds
herself in the middle of a mystery as she stumbles upon a secret
sewing room in the attic of the library. As she is trying to
figure out who inhabited the room years ago, Phoebe decides last
minutes to attend a charity function out of town with one of the
dresses she found in the room. At the Boston Masquerade,
reserved Phoebe finds herself dancing with a mystery man as sparks
ignite. However, they unexpectedly part ways before the night
is over and Phoebe tells herself that she will never see him again.
Fate has other ideas as Noah ends up dog sitting in Knights Bridge,
Phoebe's sleepy little hometown. After several run ins, Phoebe
and Noah realize who the other is and find themselves in the midst of
a romance and mystery.
One thing that I LOVED about
That Night on Thistle Lane were the intriguing secondary characters.
I enjoyed learning about the O'Dunn sisters just as much as I loved
Phoebe. I believe my favorite sister was Maggie, the dreamer
that left her husband in Boston and moved back to Knights Bridge with
her two young sons. Maggie is tough, stubborn, and yet
sensitive. I loved how Neggers allowed readers to get a glimpse
at Maggie's broken marriage and then observe as it was pieced back
together. It was obvious that Maggie and her estranged husband,
Brandon, were still madly in love. However, life isn't easy and
often throws curve balls. Neggers showed how even when you may
think a part of your life is over, true love can still
prevail.
Brandon was a character that I really
came to enjoy. When he was first introduced as the Pirate at
the Masquerade Ball I had my doubts. However, Brandon soon
proved that he was a good man and he would always love Maggie.
It was refreshing to see that he would protect her sisters like his
own- be it if he and Maggie were happy, estranged, or divorced.
Brandon took it upon himself to be Phoebe's protector.
That
Night on Thistle Lane is the second book in the Swift River Valley
series. The first book of this series is Secrets of the Lost
Summer. When I began reading That Night on Thistle Lane I was
unaware that it was part of a series. In fact, I didn't find
out about the Swift River Valley series until after I had finished
That Night on Thistle Lane. Let this be a lesson to readers:
you do not have to read Secrets of the Lost Summer to enjoy Neggers'
second novel. I feel that it really is stand alone and can be
read with or without the first in the series. That being said,
if you read That Night on Thistle Lane I believe you will want to
read the rest of the series. I thoroughly enjoyed That Night on
Thistle Lane and intend to go back and read the first part of the
series. Word has it that Neggers' will be writing a third book
in the Swift River Valley series and I will definitely be in line to
read it! There are several characters that I am hoping that the
third novel will be about and I'm sure I won't be disappointed!
Carla Neggers', That Night on Thistle Lane is the perfect
romance book to curl up with on these long, cold winter evenings.
The only negative thing I can say is that I finished it WAY too soon,
I wish that it would have kept going! Before reading this novel
I was not aware of Carla Neggers or her work. However, she
proved to me in That Night on Thistle Lane that she is a wonderful
storyteller and I plan to read more from her! That Night on
Thistle Lane is definitely a novel that I recommend to all romance
lovers. Enjoy!